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If you're not aware by now, Pro Football Focus is a website that focuses on grading NFL players for their individual performances based on an in-depth review of every snap for every game. If you're interested, here is a look at their grading system.
Oh boy. That was a rough one, fam. If you're still riding the Cooter train, now may be the appropriate time to exit before you're filled to the brim with regret. I'd imagine that the Detroit Lions are going to get a full rebuild when the new general manager arrives. The offense under Cooter has earned over 23 points just once in six games. It was a brutal, monotonous battle between two repugnant offenses until the Rams were able to run all over the Lions' eight or nine-man boxes. Regardless, my job is to analyze the individual performances from Sunday's loss to the Rams. Here goes nothing.
Offense
Best Grades
Joique Bell: +2.3
Michael Burton: +2.0
Golden Tate: +1.5
Theo Riddick: +1.5
Ameer Abdullah: +1.1
Worst Grades
Matthew Stafford: -4.8
Travis Swanson: -3.1
Michael Ola: -2.4
Corey Fuller: -1.3
Calvin Johnson: -1.2
Analysis
Stafford had an off-day to say the least. His throws were erratic all game long and his pick-six to Trumaine Johnson put the first points on the board for the Rams. Stafford is what he is at this point. The Lions are always the bridesmaid and never the bride.
Pride Of Detroit's favorite subject matter, Aaron Donald, gave Travis Swanson fits all game long. Swanson ended with a -2.7 pass blocking grade and Donald now has a +72.1 overall grade on the year, which I can't even begin to explain how dominant that is. Sigh.
Corey Fuller performed poorly on offense and on special teams and all I have to say is...
When Corey Fuller is on the field. https://t.co/m9q7Sdz5eB
— Alex Reno (@alex_reno) December 13, 2015
Not everyone was bad, however. Joique Bell really impressed me with how he was able to run through the Rams' eighth-ranked run defense. Almost everyone on this team has to know that their job security is in question heading into next year, so give credit to Bell for not letting all of the criticism get to him and just going out there and busting his ass off. I respect that.
Michael Burton made the best of his 14 snaps on offense by catching a pass and earning a +1.5 run blocking grade. Good for you, Michael. Also, Golden Tate is still really good at footballing.
Defense
Best Grades
Quandre Diggs: +2.1
Stephen Tulloch: +1.2
Worst Grades
Caraun Reid: -2.3
Ezekiel Ansah: -2.2
James Ihedigbo: -1.7
Kyle Van Noy: -1.3
Analysis
Martin Mayhew's final gift to Lions fans is Quandre Diggs. That makes six positive grades in a row for Diggs, including a +5.8 overall and +4.3 pass coverage grade on the year. Have the Lions finally found themselves a legitimate nickel corner? I believe so.
The defense started off hot, but simmered down in the second half, giving up a couple of huge runs to Todd Gurley. PFF credited the Lions with nine missed tackles and four run defense grades of -1.0 or lower. James Ihedigbo played just 33 snaps and led the team with two missed tackles. I would like to hear Teryl Austin's reasoning as to why Ihedigbo is even on the field anymore.
Stephen Tulloch's positive grade caught me a bit off guard. I specifically remember at least a couple of plays where he missed a tackle that led to a big gain, but it was his pass coverage (+1.3) that earned him a positive.